A MEAT cleaver attacker who slashed a gaping wound in a terrified man's hand has been jailed for eight years.

George Andrew Parkinson, charged at his victim wielding the cleaver in one hand and a large knife in the other.

He struck mortal fear into Darren Hewitt, who thought he was going to die as Parkinson swung the cleaver at his face and neck.

Mr Hewitt put his hands up to defend himself and the blade hit his left hand, causing a deep gash.

Parkinson’s eight-year sentence pleased one apparent supporter who muttered “get in there” as he left the Teesside Crown Court public gallery.

“Obviously not long enough,” remarked Judge John Walford.

Parkinson, 25, had just avoided an even tougher sentence for the vicious attack.

The judge was “just persuaded” not to jail Parkinson indefinitely for public protection as a dangerous offender.

He considered imprisoning him for as long as 12 years, but decided the harm he caused was not serious enough.

The court heard how Parkinson launched the attack, witnessed by young people, at a flat on Eskdale, Hemlington, Middlesbrough on June 12.

His ex had just told Mr Hewitt, 33, that Parkinson caused lumps on her forehead.

Parkinson reacted angrily when Mr Hewitt phoned him and told him he was “out of order”.

Within minutes, he stormed into the flat and ran at Mr Hewitt, threatening to kill him, the court heard. He struggled on the floor with another man who tried to pull him away. He wouldn’t calm down or let go of the weapons as he was restrained.

People had to lean against a door to keep him out as he banged and made threats.

Parkinson, of Arkendale, Hemlington, later told an officer: “He shouldn’t have messed around with my missus. That’s why he got stabbed.”

Mr Hewitt needed surgery to repair ligaments and tendons.

Parkinson denied wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm but was convicted by a jury last month.

He still denies the crime.

He had previous convictions for GBH, witness intimidation and disorderly behaviour.

Paul Abrahams, defending, said it was not a sustained or repeated attack and Parkinson did not pose a significant risk to the public.

Judge Walford said Parkinson lost his temper and over-reacted, and it was lucky his premeditated attack didn’t cause more serious injury.

He said: “Clearly it calls for a substantial custodial sentence, particularly because you used such a vicious and potentially injurious weapon.”